The Gift of Film

Selecting the perfect holiday gift for a loved one can be stressful; after all, what do you get the person who already has everything? If your loved one has been hemming and hawing for months as you’ve probed for gift ideas, perhaps it’s time to think outside the gaily-wrapped box. December is historically a time for great film releases for film fans of all genres, and this year is proving to be no different. This holiday season, the Movie Bears Podcast recommends you treat the special person in your life to one of these five promising theatrical releases.

‘Inherent Vice’ has been described as critically acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson’s most anarchic film to date, bringing psychedelic energy to the 1970s-era comedy/mystery. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix as a drug-fueled detective in Los Angeles who is on the case when his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend goes missing. The buzz from the festival circuit is that Joaquin Phoenix turns in an outstanding performance here, one that might just land him on the short list of Best Actor nominees during award season. With a powerhouse supporting cast on deck, including Jena Malone, Reese Witherspoon, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, and Benicio Del Toro, you won’t want to miss ‘Inherent Vice’ when it hits theaters on December 12th.

This December, Bilbo, Gandalf, Legolas, Thorin, and Smaug return in Peter Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.’ The third and final installment of the Hobbit trilogy promises to deliver heroism, adventure, action, and beautifully rendered landscapes as Bilbo and his ragtag band of allies prepare for war against the destructive dragon Smaug and a terrifying army of orcs. Martin Freeman is back as Bilbo, the clever rogue who is unexpectedly thrust into the role of hero by the wizard Gandalf, played by film veteran Ian McKellen. Of course, fans of BBC’s ‘Sherlock’ will be elated to see Benedict Cumberbatch return to provide the voice acting and motion capture for Smaug, a role we first saw in last year’s ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.’ Prepare your journey to ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies’ on December 17th.

While the story of ‘Annie’ is one we’ve seen before – it has experienced popularity as a comic strip in the 1920s, a Broadway musical in the 1970s, and a film adaptation in 1982 – this remake promises a fresh look at the familiar tale. Academy Award nominee Quvenzhané Wallis, fresh on the heels of her success in 2012’s ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild,’ stars as the titular Annie, a tough yet friendly girl making the best of of her hard knock life in modern day New York. When mayoral candidate Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) takes in Annie as part of a thinly-veiled campaign move, the two soon learn just how much they need one another. While remakes can often be a risky endeavor, the re-imagined soundtrack by Jay-Z and the performances by Wallis and Foxx have our attention. ‘Annie’ opens nationwide on December 19th.

With the songs from ‘Frozen’ still stuck in our brains, Disney offers up another infectious musical this Christmas in the form of ‘Into the Woods,’ adapted from the award winning Broadway musical by Stephen Sondheim. This modern twist on the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales weaves several familiar plot lines together as Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack (of Beanstalk fame), and Rapunzel learn valuable lessons from a meddling witch. Helmed by Meryl Streep, ‘Into the Woods’ features an all-star cast, including performances by Emily Blunt, Johnny Depp, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, and Lucy Punch. Oh, and did we mention the yummy James Corden appears as well? Opening Christmas Day, ‘Into the Woods’ is a must-watch for musical fans.

One of the most anticipated films of 2014 is ‘Big Eyes,’ the latest feature from director Tim Burton. This biographical drama tells the story of American artist Margaret Keane, who painted a series of works depicting big-eyed children in the 1950s. Her husband Walter fraudulently claimed to be the artist and garnered national fame after mass producing and marketing a series of prints featuring Margaret’s art. With starring roles by the ever amazing Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz, ‘Big Eyes’ looks to be an intriguing watch. Catch it in theaters on Christmas Day.

Be sure to check out the Movie Bears Podcast reviews of these films and more at moviebearspodcast.com or in iTunes and Stitcher Radio under “Movie Bears Podcast.” Happy holidays!

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Each week the Movie Bears Podcast dishes exciting film news and reviews movies either current or classic. Episodes can be found in iTunes/Stitcher/YouTube or at moviebearspodcast.com. We also write about a variety of movie-related topics for Bear World Magazine with content appearing monthly.

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